Seoul names 15 time-honored dining spots to safeguard culinary history

Beneath the gleaming skyscrapers and bustling pace of Korea’s capital lie quiet, time-worn restaurants where charcoal fires have burned for six decades and recipes remain unchanged across generations. City officials designated 15 such historic restaurants on Thursday as the latest additions to "Oraegage" — a municipal heritage designation honoring long-standing local establishments. The term Oraegage, which translates roughly to "store with a long history," was established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to identify and safeguard culinary and cultural landmarks that have withstood gentrification and rapid urbanization. With this year’s inductees, the citywide roster expands to 150 certified heritage venues across food, traditional crafts, and neighborhood services. This year’s search targeted Seoul’s eastern districts — Gwangjin, Dongdaemun, Seongdong and Jungnang. Officials winnowed down 1,731 public nominations submitted in June before conducting rigorous on-site inspections and expert evaluations. The 15 finalists represent a tapestry of neighborhood history, ranging